KESAR AT THE PUJA
The confrontation began. In front of Kunal, Kesar acted normal, he smiled, welcomed him in spite of the tense situation. He also acknowledged the fact that men should support women by returning some small favors for their dedication towards their spouse. That was a perfect husband in every sense. He agreed to Gulaal's request and joined the puja leaving Dushyant alone.
The tension remained. He could not pretend normalcy. He kept looking at Dushyant, because his heart was so full of queries, to which Dushyant is accountable. That was a beautiful scene when Kesar and Dushyant's underlying undercurrent was so palpable just through the eye contact between Kesar and Dushyant. Even in this situation, Kesar can't turn down Gulaal's request when she asks him to clap hands as the bhajan was rendered. But the impatience was building up in Kesar.
Gulaal seemed like she was genuinely waiting for Kesar to feed her. He did so. What I love about Kesar's characterization is that though he is passionate in his love when it comes to Gulaal, he doesn't get carried away by this sweet gesture which he would have if it were during better times. Of course Gulaal had to feed Kesar too because he too had to break the fast.
KESAR DUSHYANT SHOWDOWN
Neil stole the show. It was such a treat to see Neil and Sushant perform in this spectacular showdown between Kesar and Dushyant. I only regret there is no more possibility of the scenes between two superb actors. I am happy about how Kesar's and Dushyant's scene was handled. Last Friday I had mentioned that I wish that Gulaal is kept out of this confrontation and we get a "man-to-man" confrontation. My wish was fulfilled.
I think it was "Jagrata" that the Puja extended into the wee hours of the morning from the previous night. Kesar's patience had worn out. Gulaal advices but he can't remain silent any longer. This time Kesar does not hide behind Gulaal's decision and he has decided that the best way out is to confront Dushyant. He still maintained the respect and civility when he called out Dushyant Ba.
When Motaba told Kesar that he believes Dushyant, he was already guilty when he looked at the trust Motaba laid on him. The situation escalated and Kesar brought out the dowry issue. Again he gets confronted instead. I like the stress in his words as he spoke to his dad" haan'Motaba, why don't you ask him if he has done this or not'poochiye'.
I felt bad for Dushyant because that leech Raman just slipped away and no one even doubted him. Kesar says it is not about money, it was about the deception and a breach of trust towards people who trust him blindly. This was not a mistake but a huge SIN. The entire dialogue by Kesar, we need to understand is based on the information Kesar has about Dushyant murdering Vasant. The 10 year long resentment he had buried temporarily since other incidents took priority in his life. The anger and resentment just resurfaced in the wake of him learning about the money being swindled. Sushant Singh was fabulous in his expressions as Kesar hurled the "accusations" of breach of trust, deception, etc. He was hurt and helpless because he had indeed not taken that with a selfish motive. He is human too; he was hurt that his decision led to all these accusations just in the name of money. What he did not know was that Kesar's anger was more due to the information he already knew and not for this 27 lakhs.
The mention of the word deception took a sad turn. When Kesar declares that Dushyant's intentions were corrupt, Dushyant slaps him. I can't understand every passerby feels good and great in physically abusing Kesar. Why ? Is it because he is the youngest of the family?
Neil's eyes just spoke volumes and volumes after that slap: The first shock, his recovery, looking back in utter disbelief that Dushyant has indeed slapped him. When Dushyant talks about Kesar's mistakes being overlooked by him dismissing those as immaturity, I really could not fathom, what grave or little mistakes Kesar had done to be pardoned by Dushyant. His error in judgement was during the incident when Kesar forced Gulaal home. But then that is not a mistake that needs to be pardoned by Dushyant. That was between Kesar and Gulaal.
Kesar kept his eyes lowered as he was reminded of such magnanimity. Obviously he was unsure of what his mistake was. Kesar's shock was superbly brought out in Neil's body language when he stepped back a little just gathering himself of this enormous blow. When Dushyant mentions about how he was sent to boarding school 10 years ago, Kesar's anger took the better of him because he associates that incident of being packed off to boarding school with the truth he learnt about the murder issue from Durgesh. That incident accelerates his anger. When Dushyant continued in his own defense saying he took care of the family, Kesar could not take it any longer. All that anger, frustration just came out within a blink of the eyes. Kesar's anger had been dormant like a volcano for very many years. Kesar tried to come to terms with it in vain. The issue was only temporarily dislodged from his focus but all that came back in the fraction of a second. Kesar yelled out " JHOOT".. The yelling with that hoarseness in voice was perfect. Kesar could not put up with what he believed was Dushyant's pretension in talking about pain and hurt because Kesar believed and knew that Dushaynt has been the root cause of all the problem in the family that started with Vasant's death. Kesar blurts out his conclusion about Dushyant's intention Kesar believes it and that is what he vocalized when he said "You have always wanted the entire wealth to yourself and in the process eliminated Vasant Ba from your path, Jaan le li meri Vasant Ba ki" That made Gulaal loosen his grip on him.
Neil's rendition was perfect when he showed his fierce rage about his Vasant Ba being killed in the dialogue delivery, the top voice, the pain, the hurt in his eyes and the reddening of his face in fierce fury. Such vehemence and intensity of the anger was enacted with such a powerful dialogue delivery. Sushant Singh's reaction to that was lovely. He was shocked in all ways that his past has been unearthed and also that Kesar had known this truth. That came as a big blow to him.
Watch Neil's expression after he blurts that out. He had the sadness of that little young Kesuda who misses his brother so much. Gulaal is shocked, her 10 year effort gone in the drains. My heart went out to Kesar and Dushyant there. And it is strange that I felt equally bad for Dushyant. Each one of them has been intricately woven into the web that had its central focus on that one truth VASANT. My heart went out to Gulaal too who had suppressed this within her thinking she is doing it for the common good. Actualy Iam so surprised at myself feeling bad for Kesar, Gulaal and Dushyant. Probably because I heard Dushyant speak to Gulaal that night where he says he wished "samay ka pahiya peeche ghuma payen toh '" because at an impulsive moment he threw Vasant off the bridge.
The extreme sense of loss in Kesar was shown in the way he cries so much and gestures with his hand. That gesture is like saying" Now it is done with, I can't have my Vasant Ba ever, why did you?"
Everyone was shocked. They wasted time showing everyone's reaction in slow motion. When Kesar finally said" Maar diya mere Vasant Ba ko", Kesar and Gulaal were one in expressing the loss of someone who was close to their heart in their own way and till now both of them in a way has never been able to overcome the loss of that binding soul Vasant. Dushyant was shocked beyond words because he too has relived that weak moment in his life which he regrets every minute of his life.
Kesar gestures again with his hand, once more cursing the fate that took his brother's life and fate was in the form of Dushyant standing right in front of him. I felt Kesar literally cried out in memory of Vasant. For the first time he has been able to openly show his suppressed feelings of hurt. And Gulaal cried with him too. The loss was deep in both their lives. The loss was something that sealed their twisted fates together.
Kesar was still regaining his steps after that overwhelming episode that Motaba walks up to him and slaps him hard. I do not mind about this slap because Kesar should have confided in his father at least when he came back after 10 years. He did not see that coming from his dad and that slap literally pushed him to the ground as he fell on the showpiece. That scene was so naturally done. Gulaal finally helps him out, holds him and helps him get up.
I felt bad for Motaba because here was a father who does not want to believe in the mystery behind his beloved son's death at the hands of the most trusted person Dushyant whom he has come to treat like his own son that he is ready (and willing) for his other son Kesar (whom he actually loves) to be proven wrong. What a sad state of affairs. The interplay of emotions in Kesar, Gulaal's and Dushyant's faces is something fabulous.
*** Thanks to Nafisa of NBTRS for the photos, I have tried my best to meet her standards. thanks to Anu of IF for the Imgur suggestion and help.****
Cricket
Pati Patni Aur Panga
